RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM is a public discussion platform that will allow the community to learn more about strategies in place to ensure public safety, as well as an opportunity to share questions and concerns with local, state, and country jurisdictions and Railway representatives and safety professionals.
This forum is co-hosted by the ALL INDIA RAIL SAFETY COUNCIL Advisory Committee (AIRSCAC), which is composed of representatives from all walks of life using Railways as well as community members and representatives from neighborhood organizations to maintain a forum for communication and community outreach.
The RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM provides a forum for an in-depth exchange of experience and lessons for improving rail safety and is exclusively devoted to rail safety issues. Participants are senior people with responsibility for rail safety management and mostly include industry representatives, safety regulators, investigation agencies, and rail unions. The first Conference was held in 1990, as a result of a joint Japan Rail East union and management initiative. They had been discussing safety issues related to their company and decided to look for new perspectives on safety from overseas experts. Advisory Members to the conferences are typically expected to offer to present papers, or, failing that, to chair one of the sessions. They are also expected to participate in the question and answer sessions, which are very interesting in their own right. The diverse mix of experts who attend results in many thought-provoking and challenging ideas, as well as an in-depth understanding of a range of problems, which are useful reference tools for any of the participants. Regular attendees at the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM benefit by developing strong working networks that give the added advantage when safety issues arise and advice or guidance is required. The RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM, therefore, makes a very important contribution to the ongoing improvement of rail safety management and performance around the world.
ABOUT THE RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM
RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM CHARTER
This document may be cited as the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM Charter. The Charter sets out the basic framework within which the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM operates.
BACKGROUND
The International Railway Safety Conference (RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM) is a forum that brings together rail safety professionals from around the globe in order to exchange information and provide experiences and lessons for improving rail safety and is exclusively devoted to rail safety issues. The RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM meets annually, generally in October or November.
The first RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM was held in 1990, as a result of a joint Japan Rail East (JRE) and Japan Railway Union (JREU) management initiative. They had been discussing safety issues related to their company and decided to look for new perspectives on safety from overseas experts. The meeting was a great success and has developed since then into an annual international conference. The diverse mix of rail safety experts who attend results in many thought provoking and challenging ideas, as well as an in-depth understanding of a range of problems, which are useful reference tools for any of the participants.
The RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM now makes a significant contribution to the ongoing improvement of rail safety management and performance around the world.
PURPOSE OF THE RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM
The purpose of the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM is to improve railway safety by providing Advisory Members with a forum to facilitate the exchange of information on new developments, experiences and safety lessons. The RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM helps Advisory Members improve their knowledge and ability in undertaking their roles of managing and improving railway safety. The RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM also enables Advisory Members who regularly attend the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM the opportunity to develop strong personal working relationships with each other. These personal networks further enhance continual safety improvement through an ongoing exchange of safety information and advice.
To promote continual learning on a global basis, and for balance, the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM is normally hosted in a different country each year. This is done to:
• help promote rail safety learning in the host country;
• enable international Advisory Members to experience, first hand, rail safety
developments and practices in the host country; and
• present opportunities for rail safety officers from each host country to be
exposed to an international perspective on rail safety issues.
RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM is a “not-for-profit”, non-commercial conference and as a result is essentially self-funding. Costs for participants are entirely the responsibility of the individual Advisory Members or their employing organization.
The RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM takes a “Chatham House Rule” approach to the sessions. Meetings, events and discussions are normally conducted “on the record” with the Rule occasionally invoked at the speaker's request. In cases where the Rule is not considered sufficiently strict, an event may be held “off the record”. This means that, when a meeting or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity, nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed. The Chatham House Rule originated at Chatham House (in the United Kingdom) with the aim of providing anonymity to speakers and to encourage openness and the sharing of information. It is now used throughout the world as an aid to free discussion.
The RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM does not accept members of the Press in the conference room during session. At the discretion of the host the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM may accept attendance of the Press during the opening session.
SCOPE
The RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM encourages attendance and participation from all countries in the world which have railway systems. The meetings take place around the globe, with efforts to maintain a balance between all areas.
RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM ADVISORY MEMBERS
Advisory Members to the annual RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM are normally senior railway safety practitioners and specialists. They are invited from railway organisations, from government railway safety regulator and railway accident investigation agencies and from railway unions and associations representing railway organisations. Advisory Members from all over the country regularly attend the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM.
As a working conference, all Advisory Members are encouraged to contribute by offering to present papers and making presentations, to chair one of the conference sessions and engaging in debate on safety issues.
HOSTING THE RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM
RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM shall be organized on an annual basis. A host for each year shall be established with, wherever possible, a pattern of selection based on planning two years ahead.
At the closing session of each RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM the task of hosting the next RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM is handed to another RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM delegate representing their railway safety related organisation from a particular country or a region.
The host organisation will often work in partnership with other railway safety related organisations in its country or region to coordinate the planning and running of the next conferences. The host and partners are required to ensure their conference supports and focuses on, safety improvement.
The host organisation usually forms a Steering Committee involving other railway organisations in the country or region and may engage a conference manager to assist with organising day-to-day arrangements.
The host is required to organize the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM in a manner consistent with guidelines
provided by the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM Core Group. The RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM is not hosted by a commercial conference manager nor run for profit.
As a not-for-profit event the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM is generally also a non-commercial event. The RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM is focused on safety practitioners helping safety practitioners. The focus within conference at all times is on improving railway safety. It is not a forum to promote political views or for consultants, suppliers and contractors to promote particular expertise, products or business opportunities. Any commercial involvement is usually kept low key and any such promotions are held outside the main conference room.
The RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM offers an open forum for discussion of safety matters, with no particular axe to grind. Its purpose is to have a candid, open-minded, debate and exchange of information and to discuss ideas for advancing rail safety without political or commercial influence. To facilitate discussion, the size is, ideally, limited to 130 registered Advisory Members. However, the host country, if it wishes, may permit attendance by many more observers. This will for example, by introducing more local or regional participants to the conference, help increase overall awareness of safety issues and contribute to a positive safety culture. Presentations at conference will be selected on the basis of their safety content.
SPONSORSHIP
In order to assist an individual conference the host may need financial or other forms of support to cover costs. Sponsorship as such is acceptable and sponsors may be identified in material promoting the conference. While sponsors may promote their business by display in areas outside the main conference room they may not use presentations during main sessions for that purpose.
RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM APPROACH
RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM has no binding decision-making authority. The responsibility for safety rests with the individual rail companies, RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM can nevertheless provide a forum in which a wide number of issues can be identified and common positions developed that will help the decision making process.
Attendees may, of course, on a voluntary basis, either alone or in liaison with colleagues, take ideas discussed at RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM and initiate corresponding activities.
RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM enables attendees to:
• improve exchanges and promote mutual understanding;
• seek convergence on key approaches to improve safety;
• help secure high-level acceptance for these approaches; and
• be better informed and able to take positions on matters raised during the
conference
Safety themes for RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM shall be selected by the host organisation but will be based on consultation with a broad range of core bodies, past hosts and the Conference.
Coordination Committee.
RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM usually invites senior safety practitioners; however, Advisory Members may come from all levels within organisations. These organisations predominantly include rail operating companies, infrastructure owners, railway industry associations, trade unions, accident investigation agencies and railway safety regulatory authorities.
RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM is also able to support the global rail community by acting in an advisory capacity in the field of safety.RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM CORE GROUP
The Core Group is a group of recognized key people / organisations that regularly attend and support the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM work and who work together as a high-level policy group to plan the future direction of the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM.
The Purpose of the Core Group is to work to preserve the integrity of the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM concept and to ensure the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM is an ongoing success.
To this end the roles of the Core Group and its members are to:
1. Plan ahead for the continuing evolution of the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM;
2. Identify and negotiate with potential host organisations, based on a set of
criteria including:
• Whether an organisation is a regular contributor/supporter;
• The extent to which the organisation or country may benefit from
international rail community support;
• Whether there are important safety developments (technical and/or
managerial) to showcase and which international Advisory Members would benefit
from seeing;
• Are they planning changes to their management of safety or operations and
wish to present and discuss them; and
• Publication/promotion of RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM as a concept and support for the hosting organisation for a specific event.
3. Maintain an up to date database of past and potential Advisory Members to facilitate invitation lists for future RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUMs. Core Group members assist to keep the address list for their country or region current;
4. Maintain Guidelines to assist forthcoming hosts on running an RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM;
5. Make proposals to the conference on matters of principle e.g. the layout andprincipal content of the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM website and seek acceptance by the Advisory Members;
6. Act as the focal point for any particular projects that conference might
mandate;
7. Support the forthcoming host organisation in preparing and facilitating the
proposed proceedings;
8. Identify key railway safety issues around the world and submit them for a
future agenda/theme;
9. Assist in encouraging people/countries/organisations to join the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM “family” and to actively participate in conference; and
10. Determine Core Group membership; and
11. Monitor, review and maintain the Charter.
The Core Group meets formally at each RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM. At other times it will liaise by email/phone as required.
The Core Group is structured to provide a balance between railway organisations
(infrastructure managers and train operators), rail safety regulators, rail accident
investigation agencies, national railway associations and railway trade unions.
Equally there is an endeavour to achieve membership such that all areas of the world are represented.
General rules for membership of the Core Group are:
1. Any previous RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM host organisation may be a member;
2. A railway organisation or a railway safety related organisation that has been represented at five or more RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUMs, including three of the past five years, may submit a request for membership to Core Group;
3. Other than by specific approval of Core Group there should be no more thantwo organisations representing any country the founding member;
4. Despite the above, the Core Group may invite any other organisation to be a
member if, in its opinion, the organisation has the ability through ongoing
participation in the Core Group, to significantly support the purpose and future
objectives of the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM; and
5. Core Group member organisations must advise the Core Group who will be its
key contact representative. The key contact representative for the Core Group
can change at any time depending on the wishes of the Core Group member
organisation.
“Railway safety related organisation” means a railway safety regulation or accident investigation agency, a national or international association representing railways, and railway unions.
The Core Group in any year is led by the immediately past host.
A list of Core Group member organisations will be maintained on the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM website.
RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM WEBSITE
One of the most effective methods of communicating to the world at large is through a
website. The RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM website can be found at http://www.railsafety.net.in
The website is used to:
• Promote the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM;
• Publicize future RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUMs; and
• Post the presentations made at past RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUMs to promote global improvement in railway safety.
This is the only method by which RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM will communicate with the world media. Because of the Chatham House Rule and philosophy, no invitations are extended to media organisations to attend the conference.
All requests for information to be added to the website should be channelled throughthis facility.
The website also has public versions of most of the papers that have been presented toRAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM over a number of years. Host organisations may publicise their next RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM on their own organisation’s website, or create their own special website for a particular conference with a link to the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM website. Conversely the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM website will also provide a link to the host organisation website promoting a particular RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM.
Conclusions and copies of all the papers presented to RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM will be posted on the website. This cannot, however, be done without the permission of the author. The website has posted versions of most of the papers that have been presented since long time.
RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM LOGO
The RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM logo is displayed on its website pages and is applied to key documents for each RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM.
The Green Circle is a key element of the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM logo design and is symbolic of the three key elements of ‘Operator’, ‘Equipment’ and ‘Rules’ working together in the safety management system at SNCF. The triangle now also represents people from all sectors working together at the RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM.
GUIDELINES FOR RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM HOSTS
A document: Guidelines for RAIL SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM Hosts has been developed and will be maintained by the Core Group. These guidelines are to be provided to potential host organizations to provide practical advice in planning and organising future conferences I various places time to time.
http://www.railsafety.net.in/
